Further, my presence at CHS contrasted with many adults’ assumptions of Cambodian
male youth in particular. Teachers, counselors, and administrators were
aware of my Cambodian heritage and my graduate-student status situated me in
their minds as fitting the successful high-achieving Asian American stereotype. One
administrator, for instance, who had taught at CHS for many years prior, attempted
to guess that my home experiences were guided by supportive “Asian” cultural
values. She commented: